US judge dismisses criminal indictment against Kilmar Ábrego García
Judge said Trump administration would not have prosecuted Ábrego had he not challenged his high-profile deportation
TL;DR
- A US judge dismissed criminal charges against Kilmar Ábrego García.
- The judge found the Trump administration's prosecution was motivated by retaliation for Ábrego challenging his deportation.
- Ábrego was previously deported to a prison in El Salvador, an action that was later admitted to be an administrative error.
- Despite a court order barring his return to El Salvador due to persecution risk, Ábrego was sent there.
- After being brought back to the US, Ábrego was indicted on human smuggling charges.
- His attorneys argued the charges were a "vindictive motive" to punish him for suing the government.
- The judge found "presumptive vindictiveness" in the case due to timing and statements by officials.